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Lavishly Natural’s Homemade Vanilla Oil + Vanilla Extract Recipe

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Hello Goddess,

You know we make a lil of everything here at Lavishly Natural — from oils to butters, hair teas, let’s not forget my clay fetish, and green juice porn, for maximum hair growth of course.

I often get asked what my ABSOLUTE favorite recipe is, or the one I can’t live without.

If I had to pick just one thing it would be this — homemade vanilla oil.

Why?

It’s luxurious, tells frizz to have several seats, is excellent for skin, and gets even better over time.

When my kids were babies, I used this oil in place of baby oil. I  still use it for deep pressure massage with my son. 

Did you know vanilla oil has some crazy medicinal properties?

Benefits include:

  • it relieves nausea
  • lowers blood pressure
  • it’s an anti carcinogenic that slows and prevents the development of cancer
  • a natural sedative that induces sleep
  • has antidepressant properties that lifts mood, dissolves anger, and promotes good feelings
  • encourages dreaming
  • helps regulate menstruation
  • enhances libido (ahhh yeah)

Recipe Mentioned In The Video 

Calendula Oil | DIY Recipe & Benefits 

 

Additional Ways To Make Vanilla Oil 

Crockpot Recipe

 Add safflower oil, whole vanilla beans, and remaining ingredients to crockpot. Use the warm setting for about 30 minutes. Turn off the heat and add 10 drops of vanilla essential oil.

(Do not bring oil to a boil)

 

Stove Top Recipe

Put all the ingredients in a quart-sized pot. Turn the stove to the LOWEST setting, and let it simmer for up to an hour.  

Lavish it up with hair lovin dried botanicals like: pink or red roses, lavender, hibiscus, or chamomile flowers — all 4 are wonderful for hair and skin.

 

Bonus Recipe: How To Make Vanilla Extract (or Tincture) 

1 cup vodka 

6 whole, chopped, or ground vanilla beans 

8 ounce glass jar

Shake it once every week, and let it sit for 8 weeks.

 

Homemade Vanilla Oil 

 

 

Get A Relaxer! Stress Management Tips For The Modern Naturalista

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black-woman-meditating2

Hello Goddess,

When I first started working as a therapist in college, I would be so nervous at the beginning of a session. To keep my own panic attack at bay, I’d do some breathing exercises before going in.

Once the session began, I’d always read a relaxation script and quietly set an intention to be fully present.

They loved it because it was calming for them, and I loved it because it helped me get centered.

Plus, it seemed like a really cool thing for a ‘therapist’ to do.

I knew Freud would be jealous.

Now, I begin and end each session with relaxation — because it works (and it’s still a really cool thing for a therapist to do:)

If relaxation isn’t a part of your daily life, we’re going to change that today.

30 seconds, 2 minutes, 5 minutes or 10 can make a HUGE difference.

Did you know:

Any form of mental concentration practiced for 10 minutes activates your body’s natural healing response. This is called the relaxation response. 

 The relaxation response* is: “a physical state of deep rest that changes a person’s physical and emotional responses to stress.”

 

The Relaxer…An Ultimate Self-Management Program 

What is now referred to as most Health & Wellness Programs in the US, is often a hidden stress management program in action.

Stress management programs were created in the early 70’s when corporate america wanted ways to keep their employees happy, healthy, and at work.  

You may have heard it this way: increased job productivity = more money for the company and hopefully, more money for you.

Stress management programs are designed to reduce the cognitive (how we think), psychological (how we feel), and behavioral (what we do) effects of stress.

All original stress management programs were called self-management programs back in the day.

Since words are powerful, I refer to all health and wellness programs as self-management programs. 

 

Why Is It Important To Understand Stress?

Because stress worsens ANY condition. It speeds the progression of illness and dis-ease, and if a person is in this state long-term, it can even have fatal results.

In our case, it can lead to unexplained hair loss, an inability for hair to grow, and other hair drama.

Fortunately, stress is easy to treat and uses my most favorite activity — relaxation.

I know you never thought I would tell you to get a relaxer, but Girl…You Need A Relaxer.

We all do!

 

rp_img_1322-scaled1000.jpgFirst, measure your current stress level with this online stress assessment — The Perceived Stress Scale.

This is one of the most effective measurements for stress in the country. I use it in every study on relaxation I do! This online version does not require you to enter any identifying information. Just enter your answers, click submit, get your numbers.

 

 

DON’T WORRY GODDESS…It’s bad for your hair

Your results (low, high or in-between) don’t mean you need immediate medical treatment. No self-report assessment does. What it gives is a snapshot of what’s been happening in the last 30 days. At the end of this challenge, or this time next month, take it again and compare your results.

I guarantee, they will be lower.

 

The Relaxer(s)

The relaxers we’ll be using have no chemicals and has permanent, positive long-term results.

Get comfy, call this number, and apply this relaxer to your mind and body. You will be led in a brief (3 to 5 minute) mindfulness exercise from MIT’s Community Wellness Program. It’s a recording so you can call anytime.

617-253-CALM (617-253-2256) 

For 2 additional practices that are 10 minutes or longer, try:

The Body Scan** 

GetHeadspace.com (Headspace.com)

 

Stress Management Activity #1 

This week, choose 1 relaxation exercise and commit to practicing it once a day for  up to 10 minutes.

Remember, any form of mental concentration counts so:

  • exercise
  • play chess
  • do nothing…on purpose
  • try something new 
  • go for a 20 minute walk 
  • color, paint, doodle, or draw
  • create a private Pinterest Board of some AWESOME place you’ll visit, or that thing you’re going to do in 2015
  • [your suggestion here:]

 

Resources List

  1. **The Body Scan, Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare
  2. Do Nothing For 2 Minutes
  3. Headspace.com
  4. MIT Community Wellness Downloads 
  5. *The Power of The Relaxation Response, American Psychological Association (2008)
  6. Progressive Muscle Relaxation Exercise (PMR), UC Berkley School of Law 
  7. Test Your Stress, The Perceived Stress Scale, Be Mindful Online

 

 

Do you have a relaxation practice already? 

 

 

 

 

Lavishly Natural’s 90-Day Winter Hair Growth Challenge - Now Open!

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Winter Hair Growth Challenge

Hello Goddess!

Lavishly Natural’s 90-Day Winter Hair Growth Challenge | E-Course Edition

 

So, it’s that time of year when our Beautiful, Happy, Coily Crowns are ready to Razzle Dazzle during the holiday season.  

Perfect Time for Our First Winter Hair Growth Challenge!

This Challenge begins:

  • December 1, 2014 and ends February 28, 2015. 

For the next 12 weeks, you’ll receive 1 email a week with a tested hair growth technique to practice.

 

Let’s test the most popular hair growth theories, and demonstrate (with photo results) what really works for healthy natural hair growth.

 

If you’re receiving this email, there’s nothing you have to do — you’re already enrolled!

On Monday, you’ll receive a Welcome Email and Challenge Instructions. 

 

If you’re visiting this page for the first time, you can register for the challenge 2 ways:

 

1.  Sign up for Lavishly Natural’s Weekly Tips & Remedies at the top right:

enteryouremail

 

 

2. Or register by entering your email in the Purple Bar at the top of the page.

purplebox

 

That’s it!

You will also receive the Welcome Email & Challenge Instructions on Day 1 of the Challenge.

 

Now that you’ve registered, here are a few things you can do now to get started:

 

1.  Download the 90-Day Hair Challenge Recipes E-Guide 

If you haven’t downloaded this yet, here are our most popular hair challenge recipes in one place! Includes hair food, how I make my clay recipes and more. 

Download the pdf with this link:

Lavishly-Naturals-Luscious-Hair-Challenge-Recipes

 

2.  Upload a photo of your hair

Take some BEFORE photos of your hair. You can upload them in the comments below. These photos will serve as your starting point for any and all progress made during this challenge.

You’ll be surprised how much can happen in a short period of time…

hairporn1

 

3.  Follow me on YouTube

I’m uploading new videos & fro-luscious tips just for this challenge. You wouldn’t want to miss videos like this…

YT: EricaKTV

 

4.  Spread The Word 

Winter registration will remain open during the challenge, so make sure no Naturalista misses out!

Retweet A Hair Growth Challenge Invite!

[Tweet “Take the 90-Day Winter Hair Growth Challenge @ http://bit.ly/1vWlL60”] [Tweet “I just registered for Lavishly Natural’s Winter Hair Growth Challenge. Join me! http://bit.ly/1vWlL60 “]

See you Monday!

 

 

 

Erica’s Leave-in Conditioning Hair Tonic

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This image shows a whole and a cut lemon.

Hello Goddess!

Today’s Hair Hydration is an update on one of my classic recipes (formerly known as Erica’s Soft Lemon Spritz).

I’ve always used panthenol, but recently ran out.

Since it can take up to two weeks to receive packages in Maui (and no luck finding liquid panthenol on the island), I picked up the hydrolyzed wheat protein that was lurking in the back of my cabinet.

The rest is healthier, stronger hair history!

If your hair enjoys protein treatments, make this penetrating leave-in hair conditioner today!

When I use this on Team Lavish’s in-between hair wash days, we each have shinier hair with minimal shedding.

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What is Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein?

According to the Environment Working Group’s Cosmetics Database (EWG), hydrolyzed wheat protein is a “hair and skin conditioning agent” that actually penetrates the cuticles of your hair.

I first learned of it’s magical powers while reading The Natural Haven’s posts about protein conditioning. I was a newbie mixologist with hair so thin (from heat damage) that I couldn’t trim it, cut it, or moisturize it fast enough! 

Good times.

This was a few years ago now, but if you Google hydrolyzed wheat protein, you will not find a better, more thorough description of what it is and what it actually does (with diagrams!!!) than in her posts here and here.

 

Secret Ingredient: Calendula Extract

The calendula extract in this recipe gives your hair a soft and silky feeling.  I LOVE it and add it to almost everything!  It controls frizz, is a natural antiseptic, antifungal, antibacterial skin soother (try saying that 5 times fast:).  I order mine from Mountain Rose Herbs but it’s easy to find online.  

Just Google “where to buy calendula extract”

If you 

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Erica’s Lemony Rose Leave-in Conditioner

I love adding rose essential oil for this mix as well.  Roses add extra conditioning power AND act as a natural mood lifter.  

Play around with your favorite essential oils to make this spritz even more delicious!

 

**To make this blend even more moisturizing, fill the bottle to the top (or top off with) aloe vera juice.

 ***EWG.org, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein

 

Leave-In Lavishly:)

 

 

 

 

 

Product Review: Anita Grant’s Banana Rhassoul Deep Condish

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Hello Gorgeous!

I just took my havana twists out and it’s time for some good ole’ mud in these curls! I’m braiding the girls’ hair this weekend, and we’re all deep conditioning with Banana Rhassoul Deep Condish.
 
Which brings me to this week’s update!
 
This review was originally written in 2012, after I big chopped for the second time due to hair damage (curse you flat iron!).  
 
I’ve included a brief video of hair photos I took during this time. You can see Lavish when she was freshly cut! Have you ever used Anita Grant’s Deep Condish?  
 
 

Original Review:

There are quite a few clay products available now that work well as a deep conditioner. None of them have worked as well for my hair, as the beautiful deep condish from Anita Grant.

I had such an experience with this product, I had to do a review!

I bought the Banana Rhassoul Deep Condish (an earlier version) 3 years ago.  I forgot I had it until recently, used it but thought it was a little old and bought a fresh batch.    

Since I’ve cut my hair and revealed my thick, voluptuous healthy New Growth…I’ve returned to many of the products I used in the beginning.  

Along with my collection of homemade products and a better understanding of what Lavish loves, my hair has gotten stronger, shinier, curlier, and fuller.

Softness was what I was going for and this deep condish seemed like the perfect…well, deep condish.

I ordered the Marshmallow Rhassoul Deep Condish ($8.95) and the Banana Rhassoul Deep Condish ($7.95).  I also bought a few samples of the most delicious sounding hair delights I’d ever heard.  That’s saying a lot considering every natural hair store seems to have the best names for their products.

As I started to mix it, it started to smell more and more like I was making a chocolate cake (I was also fasting from sugar so I was really wanting chocolate cake too:)

 

Before applying, I washed my hair with Terressentials Left Coast Lemon Pure Organic Hair Wash.  My hair was clean, smelled like lemons, and I couldn’t wait to follow bentonite clay with rhassoul clay (I’d heard this was pretty orgasmic).

Her wonderfully detailed instructions suggest adding a very hot liquid.  She recommends coconut milk as it makes the chocolate smell of the organic unrefined cocoa butter (yes:) even more rich.  My hair doesn’t like coconut milk right now so I added hot flaxseed liquid instead (her second recommendation).

 
 
 It was very easy to mix and I used all 3 cubes (my hair is very thick).  

 I applied it to my hair and wrapped it with saran wrap. I put my scarf on and went to bed…

 

 The next morning I washed it out and loved the results.  I didn’t really smell the banana, but it had to contribute to my soft, light, conditioned hair.  My hair felt well moisturized.  I twisted my hair with one of the samples I ordered Whipped Butter Lemon Sponge (smells like a real lemon cake) along with the clay.  

I left my hair twisted for about 5 days and then wore a twist out for a couple of days.  When I took my hair down it still smelled like lemon sponge cake (and I seal my ends with my own oil mix almost every night:).  

Let’s just say I re-ordered a full-sized Whipped Butter ($8.95) plus some other items…and move on. I won’t even tell you that my kids started asking for the “lemon cake one” when I sealed their ends at night!

Check me out!

 
 

My Final Review:  

 I LOVED IT!  I loved making it, smelling it and putting it in my hair.  

I don’t think I used enough liquid for the consistency I like, but this is an easy fix for next months treatment. I’ve enjoyed all of the products I’ve ordered from Ms. Grant.  Her products are very decadent, freshly handmade and I love that her site is filled with great information.  

Did I mention her company is in the UK-Hertford, Hertfordshire to be exact.  I promise you, her products got here faster than some of the companies I order from here in the US!  My order was under $34 so my shipping costs were a flat $10.75 (I may be off with the change but around there).

Well worth it.

If you’re on the fence about this product, it’s worth the cost and lavish hair experience!  

Deep Condition Lavishly:)

 

Chocolate Sunflower Butter Cups & The Walking Dead — Happy Halloween!

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Happy Halloween

 

Hello Gorgeous!

Do you watch The Walking Dead? 

No?

I’m TOTALLY hooked.

Very few people watch a show, and then watch a show about a show (The Talking Dead) but it’s true, I’ve been bitten…and I’m totally going as Michonne for Halloween!

 

 Michonne-katana-Walking-Dead-D-sUPI1

Beautiful Goddess Danai Gurira (Michonne)

Halloween is a BIG deal in our home. Since it’s a few days after my daughter’s birthday - it gives us another reason to extend the party!

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Since we are an allergen-free household, treats that contain nuts or that are made in facilities with nuts, are completely off limits.

 

So when we do have sweet treats, we make sure to enjoy them to the fullest!

 

If you like Resee’s Peanut Butter Cups, you’ll LOVE this allergen-free version. 

 

If you’re up for it this weekend, try making the homemade sunflower seed butter at the end of this recipe. It’s better than most you’ll find in the store, although this brand is very good.

 

sunflower seed butter cups

 

You will need:

1 tablespoon coconut oil 

2 cups chocolate chips (use a really good chocolate - I’m using Sunspire but there are others just as good)

3/4 cup sunflower seed butter

mini muffin pan (the pan helps give them shape)

mini foil liners 

 

Instructions

Melt the coconut oil over low heat, and add the chocolate chips until melted.

melted chocolate

Keep stirring!

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Drop a couple of teaspoons of chocolate into your foil liner.

Allow the chocolate to chill for 10 minutes in the refrigerator.

Add the sunflower seed butter (about 1/2 tsp).

Add remaining chocolate to the top.

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Once you have all of your cups filled, place the pan in your refrigerator for 15 minutes.

Sunflower seed butter cups

Feeling Adventurous? 

If you have a blender (or food processor) and raw sunflower seeds, you can make sunflower seed butter in less than 5 minutes!

 

This recipe comes from The Allergy-Free Pantry by Colette Martin. If you live with allergies, this is an excellent book to your culinary collection!  

 

Make delcious homemade staples like:

 

  • ketchup, mustard, and flaxseed mayo

  • milk

  • jams

  • salad dressings

  • hamburger buns

  • pastry (pop tarts anyone?)

  • and ice cream sandwiches

 

There’s even a really good coconut-oil based butter spread (with flaxseeds:) that’s so good you’ll never buy butter again — all without gluten, wheat, dairy, nuts, soy, and eggs!

 

Sunflower Seed Butter Recipe 

 

For this recipe, I substituted maple syrup for organic cane sugar and reduced the amount. 

 

Maple syrup also has some pretty powerful health benefits.

 

In a study done by the University of Rhode Island, pure maple syrup was found to have:

“antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that fight cancer, diabetes and bacterial illnesses”

Pretty cool right?

 

Sexy Sunflower Seeds

 

Sunflower seeds are filled with some of our favorite hair lovin’ vitamins. 

*1/4 cup of dried sunflower seeds are packed with 82% Vitamin E and:

  • Copper (70%)
  • Vitamin B1 (43%)
  • Manganese(34%)
  • Selenium (33%)
  • Phosphorus (33%)
  • Magnesium (28%)
  • Vitamin B6 (28%)
  • Folate (19.8%)
  • and Vitamin B3(18%)
   *The World’s Healthiest Foods

 

Sunflower Seed Butter Ingredients

1 cup unsalted, shelled, roasted sunflower seeds

1/4 tsp salt

1 tablespoon pure maple syrup

1 to 2 tablespoons sunflower oil

 

Instructions

  1. Place sunflower seeds and salt in your blender or food processor. Run it on high for 1 to 2 minutes. 
  2. Let the seeds sit for 15 minutes (releases the oils).
  3. Add sugar and blend for 30 seconds.
  4. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and let it sit for 1 minute.
  5. Add the oil a teaspoon at a time until your desired consistency is reached.

 

To roast the sunflower seeds:

Preheat over to 325F.

Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

Spread sunflower seeds on the cookie sheet and roast for 18 to 20 minutes, or until they are light brown.

They will have a slightly nutty smell.

 

 Trick or Treat Lavishly:)

 

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